Senior Civil Investigator

SUMMARY 

An investigator to conduct thorough and systematic investigations relating to civil actions or administrative violations within the jurisdiction of the USAO. The investigator will handle cases independently, as lead agent or as a team member. Cases may involve sensitive matters or prominent individuals, organizations or corporations and may involve obscure leads, uncooperative witnesses, and conflicting evidence. Investigations do not involve criminal violations, which are referred to appropriate law enforcement officers. 
 

KEY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Independently plans and conducts investigations of a highly complex and difficult nature; performs quantitative, qualitative, or other analysis of relevant facts; and prepares the results to support the mission of the USAO- VAW ACE Program. Investigations may be conducted solely by the USAO, or more typically, in conjunction with federal and state agencies responsible for programs supported by federal funding. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the United States Department of Health and Human Services; the United States Office of Personnel Management; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the United States Department of Labor; United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

• Develops and analyzes evidence that comes from other investigators and law enforcement officers, and collects information relating to this evidence or legal matters under consideration from appropriate primary and secondary sources. Analysis is for the purposes of clarifying the target suspect or organization's pattern of operations, to identify information relevant to the legal issues involved, and to recommend valuable approaches to the AUSA or other members of the investigative team. Analysis is also for the purpose of developing and refining proof required to assist in determining legal responsibility for violation{s), and for devising methods for effectively obtaining, preserving, and presenting evidence. 

• Gathers and analyzes facts including statements, timelines, scientific, or technical data, for the purpose of advancing prosecutorial objectives. Establishes and/or verifies relationships among all facts and evidence obtained or presented to confirm authenticity of documents, corroborate witness statement, and otherwise build proof necessary for successful litigation. 

• Provides specialized investigative analysis relevant to health care fraud, procurement fraud, agriculture fraud and fraud related to other federal programs. Identifies sources of information and multiple variables. 

• Conducts asset investigations, verify employment, and conduct financial analysis to ensure that the target has the ability to pay monetary penalties. 

• Develops understanding of all applicable federal, state, or local law to the extent necessary to make sound decisions on direction and scope of investigations. Determines proof required to affix responsibility for violations, and devises methods for obtaining, preserving, and presenting evidence to greatest effect. 

• Works with the assigned Paralegals or Legal Assistants, Assistant United States Attorney, and supervisory attorneys to determine applicable statutory and regulatory law and identify possible violations. 

• Performs a variety of ancillary services in direct support of assigned cases and matters. 

• Uses electronic databases to identify assets, documents, and other physical evidence. 

• Prepares interim and final reports on progress of investigations for use by AUSAs and supervisory attorneys. Includes significant findings and conclusions, recommendations for additional investigative actions, and candid assessments of strengths and weaknesses of witnesses, documentary evidence, and other aspects of case. 

• Arranges for secure storage, preservation, organization, and indexing of voluminous documentary evidence. 

• Assists in compilation and analysis of documents and physical evidence, and creation of charts, graphs, videotapes, and other audio-visual materials for use in motions and at trial. Provides advice to AUSA on selection of witnesses and ensures their attendance through subpoena or otherwise. Testifies in court as required. 

• Decides upon most efficacious methods for planning, scheduling, and conducting investigations and identifies any resources that may be required. 

• Initiates contacts with federal, state, and local officials, and other organizations and individuals related to subject of investigation for the purpose of gathering facts, obtaining statements, learning sequences of events, obtaining explanations, and otherwise advancing investigative objectives. Examines books, ledgers, payroll records, cost reports, billing statements, invoices, correspondence, computer data and other records pertaining to the transactions, events, or allegations under investigation. Establishes and verifies relationships among all facts and evidence obtained or presented to confirm authenticity of documents, corroborate witness statements, and otherwise build proof necessary to successful case resolution. 

• Uses laboratories and other forensic services to identify handwriting, fingerprints, questioned documents and substances, sound and video recordings, and other physical evidence. 

• Independently or with the ACE Coordinator meets regularly with designated federal agency personnel, as well as state and local officials, for the purpose of generating fraud investigations and coordinating responsibilities with regard to these investigations. 

• Any other task assigned in support of the ACE Program. 

Salary : $29 - $31